Offense is a game-changer in sports, in general. Everything is seen in a better light for a team when the ball is frequently finding the net or sailing over the wall for home runs or swishing through the strings with regularity on the basketball court.

Defensive miscues are amplified when the offense sputters. The identical miscues that might have occurred the week before in a 2-1 loss are glossed over when goals are pouring in for the next game. Current cases in point – Harrisburg and Wilmington.

Harrisburg has posted six wins and two draws in its last nine games and scored 21 goals over the span. Back on June 27, I had the City Islanders at No. 12 in the rankings, with a 3-7-3 record. Their fortunes have changed greatly since then.

Some past Hammerheads teams I’ve covered had on-switches for the offense. When they really had to have a game-winner, the switch flipped and the offense ramped up the attack and the opposing team went to the locker room with their chins down.

We’ve not seen this as much with the 2014 Hammerheads. They are on a string of one win in 11 matches and they’ve scored only three goals in their last seven outings. David Irving and his players are kicking themselves over mistakes – an unmarked forward on one end and a missed shot on the other end.

The only cure for Wilmington’s woes is sometimes the hardest medicine find – offensaprophen – or goals in bunches. If the Hammers are destined to compete for a USL Pro playoff berth, they’ll need to find the same prescription the City Islanders uncovered.

*** Offer your input in the comment section below or on Twitter at @GradySportsNC.

(Through matches of August 10)

1. Record: 13-1-9 – 48 points (Last week – 2)

Yep, I did it. I bumped the Kickers into the top spot. Their offense is formidable and the defense hasn’t given up more than one goal since June 14, in a 2-2 draw against Wilmington.

2. Record: 15-2-4 – 49 points (Last week – 1)

Just like that, the Lions are on a string where they have only one win over their last four matches. They’ve lost two of their last three – to Rochester and Harrisburg.

3. Record: 13-6-3 – 42 points (Last week – 3)

The current streak for the Republic extends to five matches without a loss, after a 2-1 win over OKC. It’s looking more like they might have a lock on No. 3.

4. Record: 12-7-4 – 40 points (Last week – 4)

A 3-2 win over visiting Arizona stops the bleeding from back-to-back 3-1 losses. Although the Galaxy II still has a cushion, they might be glancing over their shoulder at Harrisburg.

5. Record: 9-8-6 – 33 points (Last week – 6)

The hard-charging City Islanders used wins over Orlando and the Red Bull Reserves to climb all the way into fifth place in the standings. Over their last nine matches, the record is 6-1-2.

6. Record: 8-9-5 – 29 points (Last week – 5)

The Energy falls by a goal in Sacramento. The teams below them in the rankings did not do enough, so OKC falls only one rung.

7. Record: 8-8-7 – 31 points (Last week – 7)

After a 1-0 home loss to the Blues, the Rhinos have been shut out in six of their last seven matches against USL Pro opponents. But by default, they hang on to the No. 7 slot.

8. Record: 7-11-5 – 26 points (Last week – 11)

The Riverhounds have won four of their last five, including a 1-0 win over Orange County. They have a favorable slate going forward, in the sprint for the postseason.

9 (tie). Record: 6-5-8 – 26 points (Last week – 8)

The Hammerheads are only a point off the playoff pace, but slipping fast, after falling to visiting Dayton on a PK in stoppage time.

9 (tie). Record: 6-8-8 – 26 points (Last week – 8)

The offense stepped up for two goals, but the defense gave up a goal to Dayton in the 85th minute, for a 2-2 draw. This week, the Battery will entertain Orange County and Rochester.

11. Record: 7-13-3 – 24 points (Last week – 10)

The Eagles’s tough August schedule continued with a 2-1 loss against Richmond. Only a few laps remain, but they’re still in the race.

12. Record: 9-14-0 – 27 points (Last week – 13)

The trip east featured a 1-0 loss in Pittsburgh and a 1-0 win at Rochester, on a penalty kick in the 41st minute.

13. Record: 6-15-3 – 21 points (Last week – 14)

It was finally a good week for the Dutch Lions, with a road win over the Hammerheads and a draw at Charleston. But it could be too little, too late.

14. Record: 6-12-5 – 21 points (Last week – 12)

It’s four in a row for United without a win, although they nearly rallied all the way back Saturday in a 3-2 loss in LA.

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About This Blog

I am Vince Nairn, coming to the StarNews after spending the first 24 years of my life in Ohio. I interned at the StarNews in 2010 and enjoyed a summer covering rugby, surfing, triathlons: The whole package. I grew up a few miles west of Cleveland and graduated from Ohio University (the Bobcats, not the Buckeyes) in 2011. I am here to be your point man for all the community sports in the Wilmington area. Email me at Vince.Nairn@starnewsonline.com.

Tom Grady has been the StarNews Hammerheads beat writer since the 2002 USL season. He’s followed the Second Division club through two appearances in the national championship game and the 2003 title.

Kick your way back here often for updates on Wilmington’s professional soccer team.